Sunday morning, Nolan and I watched the Penguins play the Capitals in the NHL's game of the week on NBC. It was considerably more exciting than the previous week's contest between alleged rivals the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, where someone forgot to tell the Rangers to show up and care about the game.
Watching the game together was the highlight of my weekend, and it inspired this week's LA Daily, He shoots, he scores: why I love the Los Angeles Kings:
I introduced my son Nolan to hockey during the playoffs two seasons ago, when he was 15. The Versus network had just picked up NHL games in HD, and we watched almost every game together (SECOND PRO TIP: If you're going to introduce anyone to a new sport, do it during that sport's playoffs. If it's the NHL, you get the bonus of showing them nearly all of the teams.) Last month, thanks to a post-holiday ticket sale, I took him to three games, where we watched the Kings play some of the most listless, uninspired, terrible hockey I've seen in over 20 years, but it didn't matter, because we went together. Saturday night, Nolan decided to list the various ways I've influenced his life, and one of the things at the top of the list was introducing him to hockey, which he loves. I choked back tears when he said that, because watching games together not only keeps the bond to my youth alive, but it strengthens the bond between us.
This column isn't really about hockey, but since I'm talking about it already, here's something I've been thinking about for much of this season and all of last season: The NHL has made a big deal about cutting down on fighting, and it seems like the league is working very hard to eliminate it from the game. I think this is incredibly stupid, and makes as much sense as taking the infield fly rule out of baseball; it doesn't happen that often, and casual fans may not understand what's going on, but it's a fundamental part of the game.
Whenever I suffer through yet another a Kings game where they're just getting their asses handed to them while they continue to dump and chase, over pass, and take stupid offensive zone penalties, I long for Marty McSorley, Ken Baumgartner, or Tiger Williams to come off the bench, play some old time hockey, and get the team (and fans) fired up. If the NHL wants get serious about protecting players, they should start seriously cracking down on cheap hits from behind, and stick fouls.
This was on my mind through most of Sunday's game, because the Capitals just kept taking cheap shots at Crosby, and none of this teammates or the officials did anything about it. I know Crosby has a reputation for being a whiner (though he's repeatedly compared to Gretzky, he reminds me more of Lindros) and it's pretty clear the kid doesn't have a lot of friends in the dressing room, but he's the frakking team captain, and nobody stepped up to protect him? If the NHL isn't going to call cheap shots and cross checks, and the team isn't going to send a goon out there to put on the foil, can anyone blame the Capitals for chipping away at him the whole game? I'm not taking anything away from the Caps; they played a better all around game (and Ovechkin is an unreal beast out there, who is only going to get better) but when a player like Crosby isn't allowed to shoot, it hurts his team and it rips off the fans.
Okay, so now that this has turned into a post all about hockey, a couple random thoughts about the Kings:
They've got a slim shot at the playoffs, yes, but the worst thing this team could do is make a shortsighted trade that's supposed to get them there, because we all know this team, this year, isn't going past the first round (and may even get swept.) But if the Kings' management stays patient, and they don't get fucked by free agency (the absolute scourage of sports fans everywhere) all the years of suffering are about to pay off.
I wish this team would just shoot the damn puck more, and stop it with the dump-and-chase. There are some teams who can get away with the dump-and-chase, and this team isn't one of them.
I wish they'd finish their checks in the corners, and not give up the blue line so easily.
I also wish they'd gather up all the new alternate jerseys and set them all on fire, and not just because the Kings can't seem to win while they're wearing them. Memo to sports franchises in Los Angeles: Be glad that you're not the goddamn Raiders; wear your colorful uniforms with pride.
As long as I'm complaining about uniforms: I really wish the home teams would stop wearing their away jerseys.
As long as I'm complaining about things changing: I really wish they'd change the conference and division names back.
Did I mention how much I hate the dump-and-chase?
Also: get off my lawn.
Finally: Go Kings!
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Speaking of disappointment, you should try being a Leafs fan. We actually celebrated the 40th anniversary of NOT winning the Cup.
Hey, at least your team has hoisted the cup.
*grumble* fuckin’ McSorley’s illegal curve *grumble* damn Habs *grumble*
“though [Crosby]’s repeatedly compared to Gretzky, he reminds me more of Lindros”
I think you have just summarized Mr. Crosby with more accuracy and succinctness than any of the legions of professional sports reporters ever have. For this, sir, you win one internet.
Also, I’m a huge Caps fan, and one lucky enough to live in the DC area. I get to go watch Ovechkin skate his heart out fairly regularly, and damn can that man move on ice. For any of you reading this, if you ever get a chance to see him play in person, do eet!
I used to watch the North Stars when they were here in Minnesota and I couldn’t wait for Neal Broten, Dino Ciccarelli, Mike Modano and Brian Bellows to get out there and get the crowd going. They weren’t afraid to get into a little scuffle to defend one of their own from being brow beaten with the back checking or high sticking. This was all back when Hockey was for badasses and when I played it in High School and realized I wasn’t a badass enough to hack getting my body beaten and broken on a weekly/daily basis. Now that the Stars are in Texas, I haven’t watched a hockey game. The fanboy in me just died when they left.
God we really had a badass team. We didn’t win much, but if you came here or we were in your town, your team was in for a good old fashioned ass woopin’ at least in the physical sense of true hardcore hockey. Ah the memories…bring me back to 1984, please…
Michael
Wil,
As always, you’re bang on!
Bring back the real conferences! Bring back the home jerseys!
Also (and I’m being selfish here), bring back my Oilers!
Oh for the days of the Boys on the Bus…
Now you’ll excuse me while I go look at my old cards and cry a little.
Living in Vancouver, I am a Canucks fan by birth. Nothing pissed me off more than the last time they changed the jerseys, they changed all the banners we have won to match. WTF? We weren’t wearing those colors when we won them. What happened to the original one’s that were hoisted? Did you put them on Ebay? While your at it, why don’t you change the conference names on the banners too because they don’t exist anymore.
Grumble, grumble. Sigh.
PS +10 for Tiger Williams mention. Ride the stick FTW!
Speaking of articles, I thought you might like to read the following, wherein you are inducted into the population of Human 2.0 (I tweeted this to you but mayhaps you don’t read the 130K-odd replies you might recieve therein. Yes I used the word “therein”.)
http://geeksyndicate.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/watch-out-mind-leeches-2-human-20/
Yeah, I feel your pain, Wil, being a Blues fan. Wonderful to have the distinction of being one of 3 from the expansion to NEVER EFFING WIN! Want cup plz! kthxbai
At least we had a decent run at trying to get the cup. Used to be in the playoffs every year. Now, not so lucky (or good), though they’re getting better.
Bring back Hull, Twist, and good old fashioned hockey brawls, and I’m a happy camper. Go Blues!
As a long time Red Wings fan in Southern California, I really wish the Kings would bring more to the table. I’d totally hit several games a year if they showed up and played a better game of hockey. I’m not a fair weather fan, but I could never like a team just due to geographic location, which is why I’ve never claimed myself a King fan. I wish i could be though.
Well said! Totally with you on: a) cheap shots being a much greater danger to the game than fighting, b) new jerseys = LAME, and whatever happened to home jerseys at home, and c) Crosby = more Lindros than Gretzky.
(Though I don’t think McSorley is the best example of old-timey hockey… He’s kind of the poster child for those who believe that fighting leads to horrific acts of violence, isn’t he? What with the ol’ baseball swing to Brashear’s head, while trying to instigate a punch up?)
I do think what you saw in the Caps game is more Crosby-specific than league-wide “nobody looks out for each other anymore” type stuff. It’s still not right, really, but the guy has lost the trust of his room, if he ever had it. He was made captain as a publicity stunt, essentially. He lives with the owner. He was tight with the old coach, who other players (Staal, Orpik) actively hated. And he gets himself into trouble far too often – no wonder his guys are sick of defending him.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the Pens over the next season or two. For my part, I heart Jordan Staal and hope he can land some place where he’ll be more than a PK guy and a third-line center.
While we’re bitching about hockey: I live in the Bay Area.
We’re blessed with what, six major league sports teams? All of whom suck…except the Sharks. And yet, when reading the sports page, they devote more ink to HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL then they do to hockey.
I’m lucky if I can get a BOX SCORE. Pissants.
When we went to all those games in January, I said pretty much the same thing. A team can be excused for being outplayed, but there is absolutely no excuse at all for not even showing up to play the game.
We would have hoisted the cup again if the blind ref working game six had called the obvious high sticking penalty on Gretzky right before he scored the damned overtime winner.
—
Robert
To Wil’s point: When Gretzky was with the Oilers (I lived in Edmonton during those sweet, sweet years), anyone so much as looked at Wayne the wrong way and Dave Semenko was all over them like a cardboard box on a homeless person (sorry, first metaphor I could grasp at). He was never injured by cheap shots, because everyone knew they would pay dearly for the attempt. This doesn’t happen in today’s NHL, thanks in part to the instigation rule. You have to keep fighting in the game if you want to protect your most important assets, like Crosby, Ovechkin, etc. etc.
(Lots o’ Canucks posting here. I’m also a frequently-depressed Leafs fan. I would rather my team had never won – keeps expectations low.)
With you on McSorley’s stick-to-the-skull bullshit. I’m glad he never played another game after that. But I was talking about teh McSorley I watched in the mid-80s. Sure, he was a goon, but he was *my* goon.
It’s like, I frakking despise Brashear, but I bet they love the guy in Washington, you know?
I’ve never been to an NHL game, though I’ve been to a few minor-league games here in Houston (including seeing Gordie Howe and sons play for the Aeros). I think hockey could see a resurgence when HTDV gets into more homes. I found hockey on TV to be a “meh” experience compared to live, but when I got an HDTV – wow. The widescreen format allows the viewer to see what’s developing away from the puck and follow the flow of the game. So, my wife and I look forward the playoffs each year and catch a few games if Wil isn’t appearing on CBS. Or Big Bang Theory isn’t on. In fact, Wil, you need to be on that show, or in the writer’s room.
Oh. Ahem. That.
We, um, we in LA disagree.
*shifty look*
Look at you…flexing your hockey muscles. Very nice. Ovechkin is unreal. Crosby skills with a Roenick/Tkachuk type power forward presense. Oh yeah…and he actually has some charisma (unlike Sid), which is what the league need much more of.
It’s a good sign that someone like me can read this and know what you’re talking about/be entertained. You see, the closest I’ve ever come to being a real sports fan is the time when I got hit in the head with a puck at an Indianapolis Ice game after singing the national anthem. Jolly good show.
Crosby being Bettman’s golden boy is what leads him to be the representative for the NHL, which is how people try and compare him to Gretz. Wayne however was a class act. Crosby not so much. He may be Bettman’s way to try and make the sport more attractive and earn the league some cash, but he sets a terrible example for the younger players just getting into the league.
We do. But exactly BECAUSE he’s our enforcer and goes out to pick fights with the people who try to rough us up.
Just to add my voice into the chorus of ‘you think your team sucks, mine’s way worse’…
I’m an Islanders fan living in the DC area. It’s tiring when you go into every game expecting your team to lose so that you’ll be pleasantly surprised if they dont. It’s even more tiring when the home team you hate is actually doing well.
One thing about the Caps, though. Every game of theirs I’ve seen this year they’ve just phoned in. To my mind, what separates a good team from a great team is that a great team will show up ready to shine no matter who their opponent. The Caps just don’t do that. If they think it’s going to be an easy win, they don’t put the effort in and those games end up either being much closer than they otherwise would or else it comes down to an actual struggle for them to pull out the win.
Either way, it’s no fun to watch!
As a Pens fan it’s very frustrating to see Crosby having to get chippy with the other team. Such a skill player should never have to do that. This is why the Pens employ Cooke and Godard. Unfortunately, they’re never stepping up to the plate. I’ve seen more enforcement from Geno Malkin than anyone else. There’s a dude that’s not afraid to throw his size around. But, as I said, Geno shouldn’t have to get in the fray either. He’s WAY too talented to be throwing fists.
Well said! I guess “Don’t be a dick” applies here, too.
The Pens got messed up by the off season. They are not the same team that went to the finals last year. Heck, they aren’t the same team that was supposed to start the season. For all intents and purposes, they are an expansion team with two awesome star players. A team like that can be fun to watch, but they need time (and some veteran leadership) to gel. This year’s Pens squad hasn’t had either. So, what did they do? They fired the coach! Best thing you can do when your team has no direction, eh?
It’s a shame too, because the East is pretty wide open and had a few things gone differently, they would have a chance to go deep. But, they won’t be able to get past Boston or Washington this year.
I will now go back to worrying about my team (Detroit) and trying get past Calgary and the Sharks this year.
Wil,
You can’t even begin to imagine my frustration of the illegal curve call on McSorley. I can honestly point to this moment when asked when I stopped becomming a Kings fan and began cheering for the Stars (aside from the fact I moved to Dallas in ’91 and the Stars began playing in Dallas the year after this incident). Please tell me you remember going to games at the Forum!
Could be worse. You could be a Hartford Whalers fan, like me! Humming “Brass Bonanza” while crying into my beer…
Love the summation of Crosby as Lindros instead of Gretzky. I think that’s pretty accurate. I keep waiting for Crosby to break out, but he’s just not there yet. I’m amazed his teammates don’t protect him more, though.
-Chris in CT
Don’t know why I can’t edit my post, but whatever…
Sorry about the whole “taking Gretzky” thing. He really didn’t want to be on our team anyway, and I liked him better when he was a King than a Blue. Though by that time, I’m not sure he wanted to be on any team.
I got hit in the…well area…with a puck by my friend who was on the high school hockey team and he had a wicked slap shot. I didn’t know until I was MUCH older that my little guys survived to help me make babies, because my wife got pregnant. I can’t even imagine getting hit in the HEAD with a puck, that might kill someone.
I am not the biggest sports fan either. I like to watch golf, yeah I know boring, but my secret is to TIVO the whole thing and watch it in 45 minutes or so, it’s not boring then.
I hope your head is okay from that puck.
Michael
I agree. In his defense, though, he just doesn’t seem to have the maturity (at the moment, at least) to be the standard bearer they want him to be. Who knows, maybe he doesn’t even want that, and just wants to play.
I miss the Forum so much, it hurts.
No kidding. I know people who don’t even live in CT anymore that still lament the loss of the Whale.
Speaking as a fellow member of the Ancient Brotherhood of Goaltenders (secret handshake), I have to repeat your claim, and state the obvious for my mentally challenged cement head “skaters”…
I wish this team would just shoot the damn puck more
You can apply that rule to every team, from squirts all the way up to the NHL. The more you shoot, the more you score. Simple physics and probability.
I’ve played games behind the infamous “watch Out Defence” … in other words “watch out keeper, here they come … again” and had to handle insane numbers like 80 shots in a game. I can stand on my head, channeling Ken Dryden, Jaques Plante, Patrick Roy, and the ghost of Georges Vezina… but holy frikking kee-rist nobody can stop EVERY shot. (BTW we lost that 80 shot game 12-1… and we managed only 2 shots on their goal. The entire other team congratulated me afterwards! sigh) The more you shoot, the more you score. If I were a coach I’d say that 20 times a day.
SHOOT. THE. !@#$%ING. PUCK!
It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be on-net.
Just. Shoot. it.
(sorry, it had to be said)
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
I was completely hockey ignorant for most of my life because I grew up in Hawaii and ice was only found in my cold drinks. I learned all about who was who in hockey by playing the various NHL Hockey games for the Sega Genesis in college. I used to dominate people at those games.
I’d have to concur with one of the posters that hockey on TV is terrible unless it is in HD. You can’t even make out the puck in SD. Hockey though is one of those sports that you have to experience in person to really get.
I hear ya. Hockey always ends up page 3, below the fold in the Bay Area. The Sharks are having the best season ever and the newspapers can’t even give them a decent spread.
Go Sharks!
Dude, I feel your pain. And so does my son, who is a keeper in soccer.
*secret handshake*
Do you have an opinion of Tortorella going to the Rangers? I don’t know much about him other than he’s my enemy (Go Flames!) and it was amusing to watch him constantly flipping out behind the Tampa Bay bench.
[channel=”Don Cherry”]The instigation rule is ruining the game. In the past, the enforcers used to protect their star players. Today, because of the instigation rule, they can’t. That’s what is leading to so many high sticks and cheap shots. Let them play![/channel]
Right now, the Rangers could be coached by Poochie and be a team composed entirely of magic robots, and I don’t know if it would make a difference. Those players just aren’t showing up.
Totally agree. Grapes FTW!
I’ve never understood why people want to see a fight in hockey. You’re there for hockey, right, not fights? Football, which is at least as viscious a sport has a really hard line on fights, yet is quite popular. Soccer and Basketball are very anti-fighting. Baseball is pretty hard against it as well despite the rare bench clearing brawl (which results in expulsions).
You can’t claim Hockey is already physical and so fights make sense, since football doesn’t have them. You can’t claim it needs them because it’s not physical enough (see Soccer/Baseball). I just don’t get why people think fights should be part of Hockey as a way to “rev up” the team.
When I see a fight in hockey I just get disgusted by the delay and lack of discipline in the players involved.
I’m curious: how long have you watched hockey?
Big Stick.
–chuck
Fighting is a form of discipline Mr. Kessel. Re-read Wil’s post as he makes it plainly obvious as to the hows and whys.
–chuck
Off an on for 10 years, particularly in the playoffs. It’s not my favorite sport by any means though. Football is my viewing sport, but I watch baseball, basketball and hockey with some interest come playoffs.
I suppose you can say its “historical culture” of the game or some such, but that doesn’t help me understand.
If you went to a peewee game or middle school hockey game is fighting encouraged? That would seem disgusting to me as a parent, to encourage your kid to go out and pummel an opponent. If it’s not encouraged, at what point does hockey turn from “beat them on the scoreboard” to “beat them, period”?
I’m not slamming hockey. Like I said, it’s a fun game to watch. I just plain don’t get the fight thing at a rational or emotional level. I’m trying to understand, because I’ve heard your statement said many times about hockey.
Being a Wings fan by birth, I’ve been lucky as far as having a winning team. Only problem: it is almost impossible to catch a Wings game in NYC! So I’m stuck watching the aforementioned Rangers kinda scramble back and forth, looking like a Pee-Wee team who is still trying to get into the game.
Blah.
Also, I agree wholeheartedly about the jerseys. Bring back the home colors.
L.A. Forum, 1991, Smythe Division Champs, great times had by all. Including High-Fives by Kingston! That early 90’s Kings team was a lot of fun to watch.
I enjoy the Staples center, but sometimes if feels like “the thrill is gone.” I enjoy Hockey none-the-less. It’s really the only sport I follow. I attended quite a few Ontario California Reign games this season. Lot’s of fights, really aggressive, cheap seats, expensive beer, new great times had by all.
Also, I’m in the Toronto area, so I’ve got reason to be depressed about hockey as well.
I took martial arts for a couple years, competed even, so I understand fighting can be disciplined. I just don’t get why it has a place in hockey and not anywhere else? As I said in response to Wil, help me understand. Why is it a “good thing” to get in a fight in hockey, but not any other sport I can think of?
How is encouraging people to stop playing the game and beat on each other in the interest of the sport? Football has the hard, legal hit. Basketball has taking a charge or dunking over someone or other similar “rev them up” plays. Hockey is full of such crushing check opportunities. Why is it hockey has to resort to fighting?
Maybe it’s simply not explainable. Either you were raised on hockey and that’s the way it should be, or like me, you weren’t and can’t grasp it.
I wasn’t trying to be provocative or anything, I was genuinely curious. Mostly when someone doesn’t like fighting in the game, it’s because they’ve only been watching for a few seasons.
I agree about peewee and youth games, but I don’t think it’s a 1:1 comparison with professional games. We have different expectations for our children than we do for our fellow adults, right? Unless you’re suggesting that we do away with fighting in hockey “for the children” in which case I’d have to strongly disagree.
I’m not sure I can adequately explain why I find fights in hockey exciting any better than “I just do.” It’s kind of like trying to explain to someone who doesn’t like baseball why I’ll drop everything to sit in the stadium on a weekday for an afternoon game.
Anyway, I’m not criticizing or challenging your opinion; everyone is entitled to their own feelings about everything, including professional sports. I’ve talked with a lot of people who love the skating and the passing, but find the fighting abhorrent.
For me, though, I wish I could go back in time and sit in the Spectrum for a Flyers game in ’74.